Dog Star
The term I happen to prefer is the rather archaic word
astrognosy (
astrognosist, being the science or knowledge of the stars, especially of the 'fixed' visible naked-eye stars. This implies not outstanding knowledge of astrophysics or the mathematics behind it, and still distinguishes one from the lameness of
astrology (sincere apologies for using such language on such a family site.)
This word
astrognosy is probably best known from the chapter with the same title by 1858 book by Alexander von Humboldt "Cosmos : A Sketch of A Physical Description of the Universe" (1859) in four volumes - Vol III being on astronomy matters. (An on line copy of this work is at the Library of 19th Century Science The Golden Age of Geology ;
http://www.geology.19thcenturyscienc...I/htm/doc.html. Here, a lovely definition and introduction appears from pg.26 onwards.
This classic book is often quoted, and is a must-read if you are want information on general historical astronomy or classical view of the Heavens.
It is interesting about your "amateur" ornithologist inclinations, which by birds you mean birds of the feathered or avifauna variety and not either federal narcotic agents, nor the
contradictory, whoops, I mean opposite sex?
Also is the general slang for bird watchers like "twitter" or "tweet" derogatory or offensive?
For amateur astronomers,
astro is probably acceptable, though years ago, some of the woman at work once amusingly use to call me "Astro Boy" just to rile me, or if after a weekend stargazing, just "Perve."
